The next phase of closures has begun in Greenwich Park as the cross country course for this July’s Olympic test event takes shape.

Most of the east side of the park will now be inaccessible until July 10th as dozens of jumps are placed around the course by course builders, London Eventing.

The cross country course for the Greenwich Park Eventing International will not be as difficult as next year’s Olympics but it will still be challenging for the “younger and less experienced” horses expected at the test event, says Eventing Manager, Alec Lochore.

They will be ridden by top class riders, however, and the best four in world are expected to be at the Test Event.

A variety of fence styles will be used around the course including tree trunk jumps, brush fences, flowerbed jumps and novelties such as oversized benches.

“We”ll make some more bespoke ones for the Games but for this it’s less about what the jumps look like and it’s more about the types of jump and it’s about the course designer, Sue Benson, being able to test out certain design concepts.” explains Tim Hadaway, the Equestrian Manager for London 2012..

I asked Sue Benson if there was a “gold standard” cross country track that those in the sport looked upon as being in the one they had to match.

“Well, after this, there’s going to be one.” she said.

“My dream is that when people go to Rio in five years time, in 2016, they will look at the course and say ‘well it’s good but not as good as London 2012′”

Pictured: Tim Hadaway

Work on the arena for this summer’s London 2012 test event in Greenwich Park is all going to schedule, organisers told journalists at a press briefing today.

Contractors are busy putting together the large platform south of the Queen’s House where 2,000 people will be seated to watch the Greenwich Park Eventing International in July.

Hundreds of specially strengthened legs are being laid down with the platform segments fitting on top.

The modular nature of the platform makes it easy to put in and take out, said organisers, and it can be used for a variety of purposes – Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt recently ran a race on the very same platform that is now being set-up in the park.

Work will soon begin on the cross country course and from June 1st, most of the eastern side of the park will be inaccessible apart from the playground and Flower Garden.

Tickets for the test event are being made available to local school children and to residents via a council-run ballot.

Greenwich Council has 1000 tickets for this summer’s London 2012 test events in Greenwich Park to give away to local residents.

The test events will take place in early July in Greenwich Park and residents who want to attend are invited to enter a council ballot.

Cllr Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said: “A hugely important element of the Council’s work with LOCOG has been concerned with maximising the opportunities for local people, especially young people, to be involved in the Games and be a central part of local preparations.

“These events will allow local residents and schoolchildren an early opportunity to experience the atmosphere of world class sporting events ahead of the Games proper next year.”

Information on how you can enter the ballot for tickets, limited to two per application, can be found on the council website.

Local people wishing to know more about the test events can meet London 2012 organisers at “drop-in” sessions being held this week in Greenwich Park. The sessions will be held in a tent next to the Tea House in Greenwich Park tomorrow, Friday (both 10am to 8pm) and Saturday (10am to 6pm).